Streets closed during search for wanted felon in Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ -- Police shut down streets in the Seabright area for about two hours on Tuesday as they searched for two suspects, one of them possibly with a gun.

About 2:10 p.m., members of the Santa Cruz County Narcotics Task Force spotted 24-year-old Paul Garcia of Watsonville near Watson and Bronson streets, said Santa Cruz Deputy Police Chief Rick Martinez. Garcia, who had an outstanding felony warrant, was driving a silver Nissan sedan with another man in the passenger seat, police said.

Garcia stopped the car on Bronson Street between Hall and Wood streets and he and the other man fled. At least one of them scaled a backyard fence, witnesses said.

Santa Cruz police closed Bronson, Owen, Woods and Hall streets to cars during the manhunt. The quiet neighborhood has beach bungalows and two-story homes not far from the busy intersection of Seabright Avenue and Murray Street.

Authorities sent an automated call to neighbors to shelter in place, Martinez said. Authorities with assault rifles and a Santa Cruz police K-9 unit searched homes in the area until about 4:20 p.m.

"He (Garcia) was believed to be armed, that's why we had so much presence," Martinez said.

Garcia and the other suspect were not found. Business in the area stayed open during the search.

Hailey Brook, a 23-year-old graphic designer at a nearby coffee shop, went outside to see what was happening.

"You don't see four or five cop cars outside your work all the time," she said. Brook said a friend saw police chase the Nissan to Hall Street.

Garcia is a Latino man about 5 feet 11 inches and 160 pounds, police said. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Garcia is suspected of dealing drugs in the area and is on probation, Martinez said.